La Liga Matchday 22 Odds & Picks: Madrid Derby Key Clash

• Match of the Week pits league leaders Real Madrid (-120) against Atletico Madrid (+330) in a classic Madrid derby at the former’s vaunted Santiago Bernabeu home ground
• Valencia (-135) have won two of their last three entering a very winnable home clash against relegation battle-bound Celta Vigo (+370), which has managed just three wins all season
• After rewarding spread bettors at home last weekend, Sevilla (-294) are once again heavily favored at home against inferior opposition in Deportivo Alaves (+825) — and could offer value on the spread

Real Madrid have won three in a row and sit alone atop La Liga’s table; will Matchday 22 see Zidane’s squad win the Madrid derby and remain atop the league, or will Barça gain ground in the title race?

La Liga Matchday 22 Odds

All odds taken Jan. 30.

Pick 1: Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid

All eyes will undoubtedly be on the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday, as surging Real Madrid (13-7-1) host crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid (9-9-3) in an always-heated matchup.

While Zidane’s Real have turned on the afterburners in the middle portion of the season, Diego Simeone’s Atleti have struggled to score (their 22 goals rank 12th in La Liga).

Subsequently, Atleti have dropped points in over half their games (54.5%) — a rate the club hasn’t seen over a full season since 2011-12.

Real’s won three league matches in a row, Atleti is winless in four across all competitions; don’t overthink it.

Pick: Real Madrid (-120)

Pick 2: Mallorca vs. Valladolid

Though hardly as glamorous as the matchup above, the clash immediately following the Madrid Derby is equally as important: Mallorca (5-3-13) and Valladolid (4-10-7) are the first and second teams directly above the drop zone.

It’s also a clash of contrasts: Mallorca’s all-out attacking approach has led to an average of 2.81 total goals in their matches, whereas Valladolid’s defensive approach has resulted in an average of 1.95.

Saturday’s hosts have earned 17 of their 18 points this season at home (5-2-3), while Valladolid are 0-2-3 in their last five road outings.

If this game has goals, expect a Mallorca win; if not, expect a 0-0 draw.

Pick: Mallorca pk, -0.5 (-110)

Pick 3: Eibar vs. Real Betis

Our third and final pick is a bit of a risk, featuring two mediocre sides in Eibar (6-5-10) and Real Betis (7-6-8).

Eibar has won and posted a clean sheet in each of its last two home outings, while Betis fell 1-0 at Getafe last matchday and — two goal-filled cup ties aside — four of their last six road games have gone over 2.5.

Given the inconsistency of both sides, projecting anything is a risk. But, with Eibar in decent home form (2-0 v. Atletico, 3-0 v. Granada) and Betis capable of both scoring and conceding in bunches, don’t be surprised if things get crazy at Ipurua.

Pick: Over 2.5 (-109)